Airshows were better back then… or nostalgia hides all ills?

C-133 was one of those aircraft I’d love to have seen and heard in the air – the video of the last airworthy aircraft arriving at Travis AFB from Alaska a few years ago suggests it sounded pretty impressive, rather like the Antonov 22. I have seen the two stored at Mojave but only from a distance.

A minor clarification…the C-133 was turbine powered, so I’d guess it sounded pretty much like a Hercules…unless it’s unique engines gave it a distinct sound.
I was around USAF based (as a child) when it was operational and never saw one.
With only 50 built and operated by just three squadrons operating out of two bases (one east coast, one west), they were an uncommon sight even then.

We’ve had a good turnover of warbirds in the UK since around 1980 in terms of rebuilds, imports and exports – many types I’d never have expected to see at all, let alone in the UK. Some terrible losses as well which is why these days I’d not be unhappy to see low level aerobatics confined to competition types. The World-wide trade in warbirds has stood us in good stead…

c1980 and on the way in I glimpsed a P-51 (later G-BIXL)

Almost certainly TFC’s Candyman/Moose which first appeared at Biggin in ’81. Think G-BIXL first flew after rebuild a number years later.

I would have loved to have seen the big props (C-124, KC-97, KB-50, C-121)

Me too – I was lucky enough to see a couple of KC-97s and once heard an EC-121 which I’d have seen if I’d not lazily stayed in bed. Add C-133 and B-36 to that list…

In terms of warbirds we are much better on today. I remember going to Biggin Hill c1980 and on the way in I glimpsed a P-51 (later G-BIXL) and my dad said that was rubbish as there were none around. Warbirds were rare at smaller shows we had to make do with the psuedo-warbirds like the ‘Me108’, MS733, Pilatus P2 and harvards. Warbirds come and go as owners come and go but it is still very strong. The zenith of UK airshow may turn out to be the mid 1990’s. There was plenty of eastern european kit about, plenty of ex jet warbirds and a good selection of WW2 types. But no internet ,shock horror, for only a few more years.
I guess it also depend son your age, I would have loved to have seen the big props (C-124, KC-97, KB-50, C-121) of the 60’s and the century series fighters (F-100, F-101, F-105, F-106 etc). All the heavies had gone just before I started in 1977 but I did see a few of the fighters in service.

The good news is most of the types listed above as “no longer seen here” are around elsewhere, in short, they are not extinct.

Two of the types listed, the B-25 and Avenger, did see considerable RAF / RN use and fly in respectable numbers elsewhere. And it’s likely at any given time, some are on the market and readily available at relatively reasonable cost.
The only thing preventing them from flying in the UK is someone wanting to do it.
Likewise the Mosquito…3 or so now fly, but none in the UK.

Is it possible warbird owners in the UK are a bit too focused on UK built fighters to the detriment of a wider variety of types available for displays?

The WW2 content certainly is massively increased since the 1970’s, when the Bof B flight, BAe operated Mosquito, Royal Navy Historic Flight and a few private Spits made up the bulk of the performers. The B-17 came along in 1975.

The 80’s and 90’s saw a huge influx of ‘first time’ types, with the Fighter Collection leading the movement. However, it is sobering to note types once well known , but now due to export or misfortune no longer seen here,-

Ju 52
Mosquito
Firefly
Invader
B-25
Tigercat
P-38
Hellcat
Avenger
Bell Cobra

Sunderland and CASA 2-111 also, though their show appearances were minimal.

I think that WW2 era civilian warbird shows are much more varied and better than 40 years ago, despite the recent changes in regs, and despite the loss of some important warbirds and great pilots in that same time period.
At the same time, the changes in the modern military and the massive shrinking of the air forces means that the general airshow is much poorer and nothing like we saw up to saw the mid 90’s. With the demise of any RAFA base holding a Battle of Britain show in September and all the USAF Base days all now gone too, the modern show (other than RIAT and possibly RN Yeovilton International) that’s it!
As much as Duxford and Old Warden are still going, Great Warbirds at Malling and Fighter Meet at Weald were very special events in their day, and fondly missed. Stef K’s displays in anything with wings at Malling will be forever remembered.

Ranald Porteous i hadn’t heard of this chap before ,quite a character by the sounds of it.I also looked up to see what the loop was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGe9WwUj5I
https://theausterdiaries.wordpress.com/articles-and-events/the-pioneering-pilots-of-scotland-overview/4-ranald-porteous/

Don Bullock… yes…

Interesting Flight article I recall from 40 years ago by Darrol Stinton – there’s three pages, several of the accompanying pics are immediately identifiable pilots – plus if you go on a couple pages there’s a pic of Ranald Porteous’s incident at a 1950s Farnborough in a Pioneer!

Re Bullock, the sad thing about low level flying is that you can only equal the record…..I only publicly displayed once – a role demo at a seaside airshow. I authorised for not below 100ft, and the Authoriser asked “why so high”? and suggested that 50ft would be better. I replied that over water I wanted a bit more margin for the wing-over recoveries and that if I flew at 50ft hardly anybody behind the first couple of rows would see us. At least 100ft gave more people a chance and meant I could fly the aircraft with a bit more aggression.

JB – One of those “life turns full circle” moments was attending the Mildenhall Air Fete as a participant after several years of sampling “Budweiser and Burger” cuisine as a punter. It was a fantastic show, and the USAF guys were not that strict with ID when I was 16/17 – many an ice cold beer was consumed in the warm sun. A real shame that such displays have faded from the calendar, but shrinking militaries (increasingly over-committed) and security issues have inevitably impacted the schedule – let alone regulatory frameworks and risk-averseness amongst several senior officers. The last bastion is often Station Family Days – which, of course, are not open to the general public. They have a lovely relaxed feel and often boast a small but interesting flying programme.

See here – https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=191&t=1066256

I believe the location was discussed on here a few years ago, and I have a nasty feeling that a pic pf him even lower in Sally B was posted.

Sooner or later Bullock and one or another aeroplane were going to end in a smoking hole in the ground.

Adrian

….I am sure some may say that was reckless and irresponsible. Not me however. I loved Don Bullock’s displays.

Several years ago someone on this very forum wrote something to the effect that the reason the Sally B has survived is that Bullock was not around to crash it.
A bit harsh perhaps, but judging by the photos, and stories shared here, possibly not incorrect.

I do miss the 1980s Mildenhall Air Fetes. All those ice cold beers for a £1, and an endless supply of those Polish Dogs and burgers dunked in that yummy BBQ sauce….
….I think there may have been some aeroplanes there too.

Steve

When I was the the PAO at Bentwaters, the feeling we were hosting much more than an air display really hit me. At base open houses at home it was all about the airplanes and displays, in the UK, it was a very social event with a greater emphasis on food and drink.
Though many would staunchly deny it, going to an American base and sampling the beer, burgers and hot dogs gave people the opportunity to be “American” ( or what they think is American) for a day.

Shortly before I left, I hosted a BBQ for friends…the menu stuffed with American delicacies procured from the base commissary. Again, it was well received…especially the Twinkies.

thank goodness for Shuttleworth !

I do miss the 1980s Mildenhall Air Fetes. All those ice cold beers for a £1, and an endless supply of those Polish Dogs and burgers dunked in that yummy BBQ sauce….

….I think there may have been some aeroplanes there too.

Steve

I agree, it was more of a day out as well ,just brilliant.

I do miss the 1980s Mildenhall Air Fetes. All those ice cold beers for a £1, and an endless supply of those Polish Dogs and burgers dunked in that yummy BBQ sauce….

….I think there may have been some aeroplanes there too.

Steve

One of those was regularly held at RAF Abingdon and whilst elsewhere airshow numbers are in decline the tradition at this location continues with the Air and Country Fair event, the 20th being held last Sunday.

But last weekend’s occasion was the last one with a flying display. The organiser, Neil Porter, has just announced that for 2020 the aviation part of the event will be a fly-in.

So in future a less dynamic event, but still a worthwhile one for the aviation enthusiast with up to 150 participants. I enjoyed the event on Sunday with a splendid and diverse mix of new and old and wish it continued success.

The costs to stage just the one day air display are quite staggering, (£80,000 quoted in the Oxford Mail) that, plus the increasing changes and alterations to the regulations etc., are a major factor in his decision. For me it was my 18th helping out and it has been amazing watching it change and evolve, not to mention some of the hoops that had to be jumped through and spiralling costs year on year for the MoD licence, the insurance etc. etc. etc….
He’s to helping out at my 19th!

Regarding the ‘QED’ at Biggin Hill in 1979 I am sure some may say that was reckless and irresponsible.

No more so than John Crewdson at Bovingdon in 1962 – but he didn’t have a paying audience for his flying until the following year!

In the 60s there was certainly more choice and accessibility. For example, in 1965 12 RAF bases had their own ‘at home’ displays; in 1960 it was 25.

One of those was regularly held at RAF Abingdon and whilst elsewhere airshow numbers are in decline the tradition at this location continues with the Air and Country Fair event, the 20th being held last Sunday.

But last weekend’s occasion was the last one with a flying display. The organiser, Neil Porter, has just announced that for 2020 the aviation part of the event will be a fly-in.

So in future a less dynamic event, but still a worthwhile one for the aviation enthusiast with up to 150 participants. I enjoyed the event on Sunday with a splendid and diverse mix of new and old and wish it continued success.

John Blake! That’s a blast from the past. I can remember his commentaries now. Regarding the ‘QED’ at Biggin Hill in 1979 I am sure some may say that was reckless and irresponsible. Not me however. I loved Don Bullock’s displays.

Incidentally I am loving the malapropisms in this thread!